So I was watching Zombieland, great movie, and I was
inspired! If you have never seen the movie, zombies have taken over the country
and four survivors meet and travel together, kicking serious zombie ass. The main
character makes this list, the rules of how to survive Zombieland. So I thought
why not make the ‘rules’ of picking a book title.
Okay here we go, in particular order, feel free to add on…
Don’t be cliché but don’t be too abstract - One of my pet peeves is when a book has a
title that says one thing and content that is another. You can always tell when
someone is overly dramatic with the title…you know what I am talking about.
Google it before you choose it – perfect example, my first book is entitled Serenity Lost. Well there
are several challenges here, apparently there is a rock band by that name.
There is also the television show Serenity. So every time you type in Serenity
Lost all of this other stuff comes up. Then there is the second book, Veiled
Deception, yeah…there is another book with the exact same name and by a bigger
author. Suck!
Hook ‘em – Your title
is as important as the blurb or the cover itself. It needs to grab attention
and work with the cover to make you want to pick up the book.
Don’t pull your hair out, it will come – picking a title can be one of the most
frustrating parts of the process. Sometimes I have the title before the book,
other times the book remains untitled until the very last moment. Either way,
you will find it, and sometimes in the most unexpected ways. It is different
for everyone.
Make sure you love it – It
is your book, your name, your heart and soul. Do not skimp on the name. It is a
representation of your work. (no pressure or anything…lol!)
Be prepared to change it – It will happen. You will have the PERFECT title and then someone says
no. Or you have to take the one book and make it into three. This has happened
to me twice now! Lol! Trust Me turned into Serenity Lost, Veiled Deception,
& Jaded Promises. Dead Air turned into Shockwave, Backlash, & Fallout.
All of this is nothing you don’t already know. Writing a
book is not an easy thing to create and build. It takes blood, sweat, tears,
passion, and heart. Number one rule, above everything else, go with your gut it
will never do you wrong.
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